Plans for island leisure plots as part of major Dorset development

Osprey Island, on the site of the former sand and gravel quarries, is the latest phase in the development of the site which features high-end waterside properties.

Among the facilities proposed for the island development are an adventure play area, a bike and buggy park, beach area and tennis court along with access roads, landscaping and parking areas.

The Habitat First Group acquired the 560 acre site in 2011 and have been developing it in line with their award-winning similar development at Lower Mill in the Cotswolds. The Masterplan was approved by the former Dorset County Council in November 2014 with the potential of up to 1,000 homes on the site.

Osprey Island will be the latest phase in the Dorset scheme with facilities already built on the site including a spa and bar, play area and Pizza shack with a canoe safari and fishing available to guests.

An illustration of Osprey Island (Image: Habitat First Group)
Recent planning approvals for the site include Dundas Bay and Deansley Point, agreed in April, for 91 holiday homes, alongside the island development now being proposed.

The island will not have any holiday homes on it – with Osprey Island the central island for Deanesly Point and Dundas Bay which will offer leisure facilities. Holiday homeowners purchasing a waterfront plot in Deanesly Point will have a private island garden plot included in their purchase, whilst other holiday homeowners in this area would have the opportunity to lease a leisure plot with the option to add a pergola or beach hut.

The Silverlake development, which expected to be built over a 20-30 year period, is likely to bring in £22 million of visitor spending each year to the area once completed with the potential to support 470 jobs, of which at least 180 will be local, including 123 on-site.

An illustration of Silverlake (Image: Habitat First Group)
Habitat First Group says it has delivered and handed over the first two phases, Beaumont Village, and Wakeling Island. All plots at Overton Island have been sold and 30 units handed over with the final plot in construction. Baxter’s Rise sales are ongoing with 31 plots sold, 11 are in construction on site and 19 units handed over. Sales at Shepperd’s View have commenced with 29 plots sold and 22 are in construction on site.

An illustration of Silverlake (Image: Habitat First Group)
The exact number of plots for the Osprey island development are not detailed although illustrations submitted with the planning request suggest at least sixty units, some with their own jetty, others with decking and pergolas.